While speaking at the 2018 budget defence session before members of the Senate committee on Federal Character and Inter-Governmental Affairs, on Thursday Boss Mustapha, explained why the federal government paid N40 million to former presidents, instead of buying vehicles as prescribed by law.

According to Premium Times, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, said the decision was adopted so the former leaders could purchase vehicles they prefer, adding that the former leaders are entitled to the vehicles according to law.

He said; They are entitled to that by law. We took a decision that instead of buying these vehicles, we should give them the money and let them buy vehicles of their choices. One of them qualified for it this year and that was why the N40 million was paid. The remaining, hopefully will qualify for it next year or thereabout.

Not satisfied with the explanation, a member of the senate committee, Duro Faseyi (Ekiti-PDP), asked the SGF to explain if the move was consistent with the 2017 Appropriation Act.

You said you monetised and you said there is a law; does that law supersede the appropriation law?” he asked.

Because what we passed in the appropriation law is seven numbers of vehicles. There is no clause that said you should give them money. By giving them money, to me, is against the appropriation act. Was there any recurrent to the National Assembly that you are giving money contrary to what we passed?

Mr. Mustapha did not quote a law to back his earlier claim, rather, he explained that the move was in tandem with ‘government policies.’